Jump to content

2025 Potomac River mid-air collision

Coordinates: 38°50′33″N 77°1′30″W / 38.84250°N 77.02500°W / 38.84250; -77.02500
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from American Eagle Flight 5342)

2025 Potomac River mid-air collision
EarthCam footage of the collision and crash, taken from the Kennedy Center, looking southeast
Accident
DateJanuary 29, 2025 (2025-01-29)
SummaryMid-air collision, under investigation
SitePotomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C., United States
38°50′33″N 77°1′30″W / 38.84250°N 77.02500°W / 38.84250; -77.02500
Total fatalities67
Total survivors0
First aircraft

The aircraft involved in the accident, photographed in 2022
TypeBombardier CRJ701ER
OperatorPSA Airlines dba American Eagle
IATA flight No.AA5342
ICAO flight No.JIA5342
Call signBLUE STREAK 5342
RegistrationN709PS
Flight originWichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, Kansas, United States
DestinationRonald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington County, Virginia, United States
Occupants64
Passengers60
Crew4
Fatalities64
Survivors0
Second aircraft

A VH-60 Black Hawk similar to the aircraft involved in the accident
TypeSikorsky VH-60M Black Hawk
OperatorUnited States Army
Call signPAT25
Registration00-26860
Flight originDavison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States[better source needed]
Occupants3
Crew3
Fatalities3
Survivors0

PSA Airlines Flight 5342 (marketed as American Eagle Flight 5342 under a codeshare agreement with American Airlines[1]) was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Kansas to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C. On January 29, 2025, the Bombardier CRJ701ER operating the flight collided mid-air with a United States Army Sikorsky VH-60M Black Hawk, presumably killing all 67 people on board the two aircraft.[2][3][4][5][6]

This accident was the first fatal incident for American Airlines since the crash of Flight 587 on November 12, 2001.[7] and the first major commercial plane crash in the US since Colgan Air Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009.[8][9][10]

Background

Aircraft

PSA Airlines Flight 5342 was a 20-year-old Bombardier CRJ700 series, a regional jet commonly used for short- to medium-haul flights. It was configured as a CRJ701ER, designating a slightly higher seating capacity and extended range. Manufactured in September 2004, it bore the registration number N709PS[11] and was transferred to American Eagle in December 2013 after the merger of US Airways and American Airlines.[12][13] The flight originated in Wichita, Kansas, and was en route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.[14] No abnormalities were reported when the plane took off from Wichita.[15]

The helicopter, serial number 00-26860,[16] was a Sikorsky VH-60M Black Hawk operated by the United States Army. The Black Hawk was configured as a "Gold Top", used for executive transportation for senior U.S. officials and was flying under the callsign PAT25, indicating a Priority Air Transport flight.[17][18] No senior officials were on board at the time of the crash.[17][19] The helicopter, of B Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion, was on a training flight when the collision occurred.[20]

Passengers and crew

The airliner carried 60 passengers and 4 crew members; the helicopter had a crew of 3 military personnel.[21] Among the passengers were several U.S. Figure Skating athletes, personnel, and family members returning from a national development camp held in conjunction with the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.[22] As many as 15 passengers may have been affiliated with figure skating.[23] Six members of the Skating Club of Boston were aboard the flight, consisting of two teenagers, their mothers, and two international champions coaches.[24][25] The passengers included Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Pairs Figure Skating Champions, who were traveling as coaches.[26] Four passengers were members of the UA Steamfitters Local 602 union.[27] The captain had worked six years with the airline; the first officer two years.[28]

Near misses

See also: List of US aircraft near-miss incidents since 2023

In the months leading up to the accident, two near-miss incidents were reported at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). These included:[29]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates near-miss incidents at U.S. airports. A February 2023 incident in Austin, Texas, where a FedEx Boeing 767 and a Southwest Airlines flight came within about 115 feet (35 m) of each other[29] prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draft new air traffic control policy intended to improve collision-warning systems, hire more controllers, and reduce controller fatigue. Lawmakers had also scheduled hearings to expedite these measures.[30]

Collision

Flight paths of the VH-60 and the CRJ700, with approximate collision location.

Around 8:47 p.m. EST, less than 30 seconds before the collision, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter crew whether they had Flight 5342 in sight. The crew confirmed visual contact and requested "visual separation" from the airliner—meaning they would visually acquire and maintain separation from the aircraft on their own—which was approved by the controller.[25][31] Moments later, the controller instructed the helicopter to pass behind Flight 5342.[25][32] The two aircraft collided, causing the helicopter to explode and crash into the Potomac River. The airliner's radio transponder ceased transmitting about 2,400 ft (730 m) short of Runway 33, where it was intending to land.[25][32]

Partial air traffic control audio between both aircraft and ground

The collision was captured by a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,[33] and another video showed a brief trail of fire.[34] Witnesses reported that the airliner "split in half" upon impact, while the helicopter crashed upside down near the airliner.[35] A pilot in an uninvolved aircraft confirmed seeing the crash to an air traffic controller, and reported seeing flares from the side of the Potomac opposite to them as they were on short final.[17]

The jet's traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), which might have helped avoid the collision at higher altitudes, does not send advisories to aircraft on approach less than 1,000 feet (300 m) above the ground; this is to avoid directing an aircraft into a collision with the ground or another aircraft.[36]

Emergency response

Rescue teams at the scene

Emergency personnel, including units from District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DC FEMS), Maryland State Police, and other local agencies, were dispatched to the scene. According to DC FEMS chief John Donnelly, emergency responders were notified of an aircraft crash at 8:48 p.m. The first units arrived at the scene at 8:58 p.m., where they discovered the aircraft in the water.[citation needed]

Fireboats and divers were deployed to search for victims and survivors. However, rescue efforts were hampered by cold temperatures, strong winds, ice and murky water conditions. The water temperature near the crash site was recorded at 35 °F (2 °C).[21] Several commercial yachts from CityCruise sailed from Washington Sailing Marina to help search and rescue operations.[21] Officials have said that they are confident they will recover all bodies from the collision. Twenty-eight bodies were confirmed to have been found as of 08:11 EST.[37]

Casualties

Within three hours of the collision, authorities confirmed fatalities.[38][39] By 11:30 p.m., at least 19 bodies had been recovered.[40] As of 2:50 a.m. the following morning, no survivors had been reported, and search and rescue operations were described as "becoming more grim."[15] Kansas senator Roger Marshall said that all 67 people were feared dead.[41]

During a press conference on January 30 at 7:30 a.m., District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department chief John Donnelly said that the department's efforts had switched from a rescue operation to a recovery operation, indicating that rescuers did not believe that there were any survivors. The chief said that 28 bodies had been recovered, 27 from the plane and 1 from the helicopter.[42]

Several participants in the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships died in the crash, including six members from the Skating Club of Boston which also lost members in the crash of Sabena Flight 548 in 1961. Russian nationals and former World Champions couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on the manifest.[43][44][45]

Aftermath

After the collision, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport suspended all takeoffs and landings, diverting flights to nearby airports, including Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport,[46] and Richmond International Airport.[47] The airport is expected to remain closed until at least 11:00 a.m. on January 30, with the primary runway, 1/19, being open.[12][48][49][37]

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority extended Silver Line service to help passengers whose flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport and dispatched "warming buses" to help relief operations.[50][21]

Investigations

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Army announced they would launch investigations into the collision.[25] The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also stated it would assist in the response, though there were no indications of terrorism or criminal activity.[21]

The fuselage of Flight 5342 was found upside down in three sections of the river and is being recovered.[51] The search for debris was extended to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, three miles (five kilometers) south of Reagan Airport.[52]

Responses

Aviation

American Airlines CRO Robert Isom released a video statement about the accident.[53] American Airlines also launched a hotline for family members of passengers on Flight 5342.[17] The Association of Flight Attendants reported that two of its members were on Flight 5342.[35]

Federal

President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the collision shortly after it occurred,[12] released a statement calling the crash a "terrible accident", thanking emergency responders and saying of the victims: "May God bless their souls."[21][54] Vice president JD Vance asked for prayers for those who were in the incident.[55] Sean Duffy, who had been sworn in as Secretary of Transportation the previous day, said that he was monitoring developments from FAA headquarters and later called the disaster "absolutely" preventable.[17][15] The NTSB prepared an investigation team to send to the site of the accident.[21]

Kansas Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran said that they were communicating with authorities about the collision.[17] Don Beyer, U.S. representative for Virginia's 8th congressional district, where the airport is located, said he was in contact with airport officials about the crash.[17] US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the helicopter was doing "an annual proficiency training flight", that its crew was "fairly experienced", and that they had night vision goggles.[25]

State

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated that first responders from northern Virginia were being sent to help recovery efforts. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly stated that she was in contact with authorities about the collision.[17] Maryland Governor Wes Moore raised Maryland's Emergency Operations Center status to "Enhanced" to help recovery operations.[21]

International

The International Olympic Commitee said they "extend their heartfelt sympathies to all those affected, which we understand may include Olympians, young athletes, and their support staff."[15] Pope Francis published a Telegram post to the White House expressing condolences for the victims of the collision.[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Information regarding American Eagle Flight 5342". news.aa.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  2. ^ Regan, Helen; Romine, Taylor; Faheid, Dalia; Lynch, Jamiel; Vera, Amir; Park, Hanna (January 29, 2025). "American Airlines plane crash near Washington, DC; Reagan National Airport takeoffs and landings halted". CNN. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025. A US Army Blackhawk (H-60) helicopter collided with passenger aircraft near Washington on Wednesday, according to two US defense officials.
  3. ^ "Playback of flight AA5342". FlightRadar24. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents". Federal Aviation Administration. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  5. ^ "No survivors from D.C. plane crash, officials believe, as recovery operations begin". The Washington Post. January 30, 2025. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025. Officials believe that all passengers and crew onboard American Eagle Flight 5342, which collided midair Wednesday evening with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, were killed, and are pivoting search-and-rescue teams to recovery operations. "At this point, we don't believe there are any survivors from this accident," D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said Thursday at a news conference, adding that rescue teams have recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one body from the helicopter.
  6. ^ Harvey, Lex (January 30, 2025). "What we know about the passenger plane collision near Washington, DC". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  7. ^ Leclercq, Matt (January 29, 2025). "American Airlines crash in Washington, D.C., may be carrier's worst disaster in two decades". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Sweeney, Sam (January 29, 2025). "DC plane crash marks first major commercial crash in US since Buffalo crash in 2009". ABC News. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  9. ^ "Major airline crashes persist even as plane safety improves". The Dallas Morning News. Bloomberg Wire. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Ahmad, Manahil (January 30, 2025). "Last major commercial airliner plane crash before D.C. tragedy departed from Newark". The Bergen Record. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "FAA Registry (N709PS)". Federal Aviation Administration.
  12. ^ a b c Knox, Brady (January 29, 2025). "Potomac plane crash: Rescue operation underway near Reagan airport". Washington Examiner. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  13. ^ Villamizar, Helwing (January 29, 2025). "Reagan National Halts Flights Amid CRJ Crash". Airways News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  14. ^ Harvey, Lex (January 30, 2025). "What we know about the passenger plane collision near Washington, DC". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d Regan, Helen; Romine, Taylor; Faheid, Dalia; Lynch, Jamiel; Vera, Amir; Park, Hanna; Tsui, Karina (January 30, 2025). "Live updates: American Airlines plane, Black Hawk helicopter collide near Washington, DC; no survivors recovered". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  16. ^ Charpentreau, Clément (January 30, 2025). "American Eagle flight collides with Black Hawk helicopter". AeroTime. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h Regan, Helen; Romine, Taylor; Faheid, Dalia; Lynch, Jamiel; Vera, Amir; Park, Hanna (January 29, 2025). "American Airlines plane crash near Washington, DC; Reagan National Airport takeoffs and landings halted". CNN. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025. A US Army Blackhawk (H-60) helicopter collided with passenger aircraft near Washington on Wednesday, according to two US defense officials.
  18. ^ Stabley, Matthew; Swalec, Andrea (January 29, 2025). "American Airlines flight collides with Army helicopter near Reagan National, more than a dozen bodies recovered". WRC-TV News. Retrieved January 30, 2025. Published January 29, 2025
  19. ^ Stabley, Matthew; Swalec, Andrea (January 30, 2025) [January 29, 2025]. "American Airlines flight collides with Army helicopter near Reagan National, more than a dozen bodies recovered". WRC-TV News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  20. ^ Garrison, Joey; Nguyen, Thao (January 29, 2025). "Plane, helicopter collide, crash into Potomac River in Washington". USA Today. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Plane crashes into Potomac River after collision with helicopter near Reagan National Airport". NBC News. January 30, 2025. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  22. ^ "Figure skaters among passengers in D.C. crash". ESPN.com. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  23. ^ Ward, Jasper (January 30, 2025). "US figure skaters were on board plane that crashed into Potomac River". Reuters. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  24. ^ Toole, Mike (January 30, 2025). "6 with ties to The Skating Club of Boston killed in DC plane crash". CBS News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Live updates: Passenger jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter at Reagan Airport near DC". The Associated Press. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  26. ^ "World champion Russian figure skaters onboard jet that collided with US army helicopter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Reuters. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  27. ^ Mascarenhas, Lauren (January 30, 2025). "Four steamfitters union members among those killed in the collision, union says". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  28. ^ Robertson, Campbell (January 30, 2025). "Live Updates: No Survivors After Plane and Helicopter Crash Near Washington, Officials Say". The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Shepardson, David (May 31, 2024). "US NTSB to probe Wednesday's near-miss between planes at Washington airport". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  30. ^ Armus, Teo; Davies, Emily (January 29, 2025). "Bodies pulled from Potomac after collision". The Washington Post.
  31. ^ "Timeline of air traffic controllers issuing warnings before American Airlines plane, Black Hawk helicopter collision in DC". New York Post. January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Passenger Jet With 64 Aboard Collides With Army Helicopter While Landing at Reagan Airport Near D.C." Time. January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Singh, Kanishka (January 30, 2025). "Air traffic controller audio captures moments before and after Washington plane crash". Reuters. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  34. ^ Cameron, Chris (January 29, 2025). "Footage from a live webcam operated by the Kennedy Center appears to show a collision between two aircraft over Washington". The New York Times. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  35. ^ a b "Washington DC plane crash: Jet with 60 passengers collides with US Army helicopter and crashes into river". BBC News. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  36. ^ Levenson, Eric (January 30, 2025). A look at the TCAS safety system designed as a "last defense" against plane collisions. CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  37. ^ a b Boyette, Helen Regan, Taylor Romine, Dalia Faheid, Jamiel Lynch, Amir Vera, Hanna Park, Karina Tsui, Antoinette Radford, Chris (January 30, 2025). "Live updates: American Airlines plane, Black Hawk helicopter collide near Washington, DC; no survivors recovered". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Bodies pulled from Potomac after collision". The Washington Post.
  39. ^ "Fatalities confirmed after passenger plane collides with Army Black Hawk, source says". CNN. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  40. ^ Tanyos, Faris; Freiman, Jordan (January 30, 2025). "What we know about the midair collision between a passenger jet and Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  41. ^ Marcus, Josh (January 30, 2025). "Washington DC plane crash latest: 19 bodies recovered after American Airlines jet collides with army helicopter". The Independent. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  42. ^ Tanyos, Faris; Freiman, Jordan; Dakss, Brian (January 30, 2025). "Plane crashes in D.C.'s Potomac River with 64 on board after midair collision with Army helicopter — live updates". CBS News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  43. ^ Vasilyev, Dmitriy; Osborn, Andrew (January 30, 2025). "Russian skating couple, world champions in 1990s, were in crashed US airliner". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  44. ^ "Six members of Boston skating club are among those killed in plane crash". KSN-TV. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  45. ^ "Two teen athletes from Boston skating club among those killed in the plane collision". KLTV. AP. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  46. ^ Bogage, Jacob (January 29, 2025). "American Airlines plane collides with helicopter in D.C., crashes into Potomac River". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  47. ^ Nadeau, Ryan (January 30, 2025). "Two flights diverted to RIC after plane collides with helicopter, crashes into Potomac River". WRIC-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  48. ^ Gillum, Jack (January 29, 2025). "Audio of Air-Traffic Conversations Shows Planes Diverted, Pilot Account". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  49. ^ Skores, Alexandra (January 30, 2025). "Approximately 19 aircraft diverted to Dulles International Airport at time of crash". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  50. ^ "Metro helping after plane, military helicopter collide near Reagan National Airport". DC News Now. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  51. ^ "Dozens feared dead after midair collision between American Airlines jet and Army helicopter". CNN. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  52. ^ "Everyone aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter is feared dead". AP News. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  53. ^ "Information regarding American Eagle Flight 5342". news.aa.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  54. ^ Regan, Helen. "Fatalities confirmed after passenger plane collides with Army Black Hawk, source says". CNN. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  55. ^ "American Airlines jet collides with helicopter in Washington DC: What we know so far". BBC News. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  56. ^ "Telegram of condolence of the Holy Father for the victims of the air accident in the United States of America, 30.01.2025". Holy See Press Office. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2025_Potomac_River_mid-air_collision&oldid=1272888452"